While Great Britain isn't always acclaimed for its British cuisine, England is known for having wonderful Indian restaurants. Bath is no exception. In business since 1980, the Rajpoot is a fine dining experience that promises to please.

While I would advise reservations later in the evening, we walked over the Pulteney Bridge and found the restaurant shortly after it opened at 6pm. A gentleman in a red jacket and turban opened the door. Going down, down, down narrow stairs, we left the cold night air behind us, and descended into another world. We were quickly seated in a waiting area by the bar where we were served drinks on gold tables. When our regular table was ready, we were escorted into the Old India room with its lavender ceiling, green boothes, and low lighting. One can easily imagine he has been transported to an empire guarded by the warrior Rajpoots.

So how was the food? Excellent.

Our son was happy with his chicken tikka massala as the rest of us enjoyed a variety of dishes prepared with lamb, fish, and giant prawns. We used the nan bread to scoop up yogurt with cucumbers. We passed around bowls of the exceptional vegetables like the bindhi bhajee (spiced okra) and the chana massala (chick peas.) The waiter was attentive to our needs, clearing plates and refreshing our drinks as needed.

As we ordered several dishes to sample more of what the "Indian Restaurant of the Year" had to offer, our tab topped 100 pounds. But we enjoyed everything we'd eaten. (And you're in Bath, after all.) It was well worth the splurge.

The Rajpoot is located on Argyle Street in Bath, just on the Laura Place side of the Pultney Bridge.

The restaurant itself is in the basement of a Georgian townhouse and is accessed via several flights of steps--it's two stories below street level.

The Rajpoot specializes in the Moghul cuisine of northern India, and the decor reflects this, with an overall feeling of being in an Aladdin's Cave of color. Deep purples, reds, and greens, with bright brass lanterns providing warm light, create an intimate, exotic feeling.

Upon entering, you are seated in the bar, on a cozy banquette with a giant brass tray as a table. The host gives you a menu, and you order at the bar, giving the staff time to prepare your table according to what you have ordered.

I had the set menu A, an excellent value at about 16 pounds per person. It included aloo bara (a potato and coriander croquette), chicken pakora (white-meat chicken fried in a lightly spiced batter), rice, naan, saag paneer (mildly spiced spinach and homemade cheese), delicious bhona gosht (lamb and tomatoes in a spicy sauce), and chicken korma (chicken cooked in a mild coconut-milk sauce). The set meal also included coffee (very good and strong) and creamy kulfi (Indian ice cream in either mango or pistachio) for dessert.

The wine list is reasonably priced and well chosen, with a selection of full and half bottles and wines by the glass.

A set meal here is arguably one of the best values in Bath--our meal for two, including a half bottle of wine, came to 23 pounds per person, for more tasty food than either of us could eat.

You can check out the Rajpoot's menu for yourself at its website, www.rajpoot.co.uk.